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Safety in drilling the frame?
- polkat
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- Locozuna
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KZ900LTD, KZ750LTD, KZ650, 72'Triumph Trident
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Ride, boldly ride,"
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"If you seek for Eldorado!"
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- Patton
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If going to drill the frame, would make a boss (a thick walled tube that extends through the frame) and braze it to both sides. That would provide strength and support to the frame and keep the hole from cracking. Like the right front engine mount plate bolt holes.
A boss reinforces the frame where it's been drilled.
Done right with quality welding, the frame with boss is stronger than before. The tube goes all the way through, and that's what is meant by a "boss". [Similar to a spacer welded perpendicular through the frame which serves as a passageway or tunnel for a bolt to pass through. Note front motor mount bolted through frame downtube, per factory manufacture.]
Tig welding would probably be better than brazing, but the equipment is more expensive and it requires more skill.
The frame is just mild steel, and the only difficulty drilling is keeping the drill centered.
If feasible for the intended application, brazing a mount to the frame would be better, or adding another crossbar as loco suggested.
Good Luck!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- otakar
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74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
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- PLUMMEN
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Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- Patton
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I would not recommend brazing to the frame. Too much of the steel must be heated red hot and you risk softening or dis-tempering too large of an area. welding only. I would never drill into the frame. Cracking is a real possibility.
would never drill into the frame
Yep. Just a gut reaction, but I wouldn't bore a hole of any size into one of my own motorcycle frames for any reason. Being afraid it might weaken the tubing, foster stress cracks, or result in some other weakness sooner or later, due to vibration, etc.
Perhaps jonnybiker said it best:
I guess when the frame tubes start cracking from the new holes out.....you might then see the big effect. Then again....Its your bike, your butt.... go ahead and drill away if you so choose. Would never consider such a thing on any of my machines. just my opinion. jonnybiker
Good Luck!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- PLUMMEN
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Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- otakar
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74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
80 KZ-1300
81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000
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- otakar
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74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
80 KZ-1300
81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- otakar
- Offline
- User
74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
80 KZ-1300
81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- otakar
- Offline
- User
74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
80 KZ-1300
81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000
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- Locozuna
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KZ900LTD, KZ750LTD, KZ650, 72'Triumph Trident
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.